NexInnovations has inked a deal to become a national value-added systems integrator partner with EMC Canada.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mississauga, Ont.-based NexInnovations will market, integrate and resell EMC information storage systems and software across Canada.
NexInnovations’
marketing manager Todd Irie told CDN two key drivers are behind customers’ increasing interest in the networked storage solutions and services.
“Storage administration costs are a significant part of the total cost of ownership in any infrastructure,” he said, adding that firms like Gartner have said costs could climb to the 25 per cent mark overall. “Through proper data storage strategies and using the right vendors and the right product sets against that infrastructure it’s going to drive cost savings,” Irie said.
But the other critical – and competitive – issue revolves around speed and access to information. Irie quoted IDC suggesting end users’ data capacity needs are doubling every five to 10 months.
“What we bring to the table is the ability to go in and quickly do a comprehensive storage assessment . . . and then package that all up in an easy to understand recommendation.” he said. “That’s the value that they may not have in-house with their existing IT resources. (Customers) may not have organizational policies as to how they manage information.”
Rob Stroud, divisional partner manager for EMC in Toronto, said the combined competencies of the two firms enable them to deliver what he called the “key skill sets of building a networked storage infrastructure.” These include the ability to assess, design, implement, train, service and support, he said.
NexInnovations, said Stroud, is one of a select group of 15 to 20 North American partners who, through EMC’s accreditation and certification program, are driving toward a premier solutions partner status. “That’s really a best in class both from a pre-sales, technical and professional services point of view,” he said. “It also signifies a strong revenue and marketing commitment between both parties.”
In Canada, given the demographics and the geography challenges, he added, EMC wants to use its partner program to leverage its market share across all geographies and verticals.
Stroud said NexInnovations is suited to give that kind of coverage in the Canadian marketplace, through its skill sets, expertise, and geographic coverage through its 35 offices across the country.